How to: 5R55E Valve Body Rebuild Diary

[barenfang]

BrooklynBay - I have another question. The heat shield was a bear to take off. I had to get my wife to remove the top since my hands were too big to get in there. Is there a tool to get to this nut and bolt? If I need to go into the trans again to add the D-ring I am hoping to make the job a little easier.

 

[BrooklynBay]

An ordinary box wrench should work.

 

[monroe8]

Hello all I am trying to do this update for the valve body. I have a 1996 Ranger with what I believe is a 4r55e. Am I right? Did they come in rangers that year? I have the T trans code. If so will the bonded gasket fit this trans? the dealer said no. So I am concerned with putting the service kit in. It said to only put it in with the 7Z490 bonded seperator plate. The TSB said to put a different set in. What should I do? No valve update or does the Bonded plate work?

 

[BrooklynBay]

There is a bonded separator plate for this transmission. Make sure that you get the correct part. Check these sources: WWW.TransmissionPartsUSA.Com, WWW.BulkPart.Com, WWW.Wittrans.Com, and WWW.FastPartsNetwork.Com.

 

[monroe8]

I am looking and cannot find anything. No bonded plates for the 4r55e

 

[BrooklynBay]

https://www.wittrans.com/SchematicParts.aspx?Transmission=A4LD/4R44E/4R55E/5R55E&LinkCode=747

 

[jadedtown]

compatibility question

I have a 4r55e in '97 XLT 4.0.

Can I replace the existing VB (original stock 4r55e) with a "fully updated" VB from a 5r55e?

I would think there should be no issue. I know there are several different types of separator plates. . . but the sep plate is matched to the VB, not the case, right?

Thanks!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! This photo shows the difference between the 4R55E & 5R55E separator plates:

 

[jadedtown]

Thanks for the reply. I will get the right plate now. Great info, very much appreciated.

 

[jadedtown]

So now I am looking for a 4r55e sep. plate with bonded gaskets. . . all I can find are dual use (5r55e AND 4r55e) plates! How do these updated plates account for this hole location? Should they have both holes then? See link below. I tried getting the plate listed in the TSB and it is not available from Ford. . . or anywhere I can find.

https://www.wittrans.com/SchematicPa...E&LinkCode=747

 

[jadedtown]

Nevermind found the OEM plate from the TSB at Fast Parts Network.

 

[BrooklynBay]

The link in post # 510 doesn't work. What's the link from WWW.FastPartsNetwork.Com?

 

[MATTS02]

Those folks at Central Valve Bodies are great to deal with! Thanks to this thread and the reference to them parts will soon be on the way!

 

[jadedtown]

https://www.wittrans.com/SchematicParts.aspx?Transmission=A4LD/4R44E/4R55E/5R55E&LinkCode=747

Correct link is above. Note the one seperator plate fits both the 4r55e and 5r55e. For my application this is part number D56747D. I did not order this part.

I ordered from Fast Parts the separator plate F77Z-7A008-DB 97GT-KF/LF. This is the unique part from the TSB at the start of this thread.

Search for F77Z7A008DB at the link below:

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=multiSearch&siteid=318

This separator plate is different from all the other plates listed in the TSB (search the other part numbers. . . they are different).


So. . . . again, how can ONE plate cover multiple applications?

 

[jadedtown]

I also ordered the gaskets. I don't think my plate has bonded. Better safe than sorry at $4 a piece. I want to get this done on Friday.

 

[CDW6212R]

For others, you can buy the gaskets in your town at trans parts suppliers. Most of those businesses carry all of the trans parts, except the odd OEM stuff like the TSB's etc.

 

[shenanigans]

bonded gaskets or not

Going through all of this as well. It appears from the ford dealership and reading the tsb etc that the bonded separator plate and gaskets applies only to 97 and newer, the bonded plate is not available for the 4r55e that came in '95 explorers. You must purchase the separator plate and both gaskets separately. Also I was trying to get the upgraded solenoid retainer bracket and they could not find it in the ford computers (xl2z-7l491-aa). I've found it on fast parts netwrok, but they want 7.50 for it plus $22 shipping to where I live in Canada. does anyone now of somewhere in Canada to get this so I don't get slayed on the shipping?

 

[CDW6212R]

... Also I was trying to get the upgraded solenoid retainer bracket and they could not find it in the ford computers (xl2z-7l491-aa). I've found it on fast parts netwrok, but they want 7.50 for it plus $22 shipping to where I live in Canada. does anyone now of somewhere in Canada to get this so I don't get slayed on the shipping?

Hunt for it from the big online trans parts companies. I know that one mentioned carrying that to me, after I already got it from Ford. It's about the same from them, but surely shipping wouldn't be so bad to you.

 

[Rutt4.0OHV]

What a great thread to read. I'm impressed with the amount of info shared on this site. I think people should taking notes.(I know I have) These trannies have made my friend a lot of money because they fail so regularly.(almost set your watch to it)
A lot of the failures are mostly due to owners not taking care of the transmission. I've seen fluid that looked more like coffee than mercon.
It's cheap insurance, and yet most people still don't do it. I call it job security. One thing that help with the longevity of these trannies is addresssing the pressure issue.(as stated many times before) The easiest way besides a kit is using a flash programmer or chip. This ups the voltage to epc and increases the pressure by about 30psi.(give or take) Another good one is the B+M kit. This isn't for the non-mechanically inclined folks however. It splices directly into the main harnesss of the PCM, and using a simple switch, amplifies the voltage signal from the PCM to the EPC.(A chip plus this is not recommended)I have a simple chip with a base performance program that 'I've used for nearly 200,000 miles of the 326,000 miles that are on my 5r55e. It's in a '98 4x4 xlt ranger. I change my fluid religiously every 15,000 miles.(fluid and filter every 30,000)

When I tell folks how many miles I have they are just amazed. I've sold many a flush by using my truck as an example. Some are even on their second rebuild when they come in. Treat these trannies right and they will last. Give them a boost in the right areas, and they will last a very, very , very long time.

 

[jpatz18]

Ok i am looking for the right parts i am just addressing the TSB with my explorer i just bought not sure if it has a flare or not i know it was going into limp mode and i was having p0733 and p0735 and p1717.

I thought it was the solenoid but as it turns out my resistance was right on. So i did what i didnt want to do removed the VB low and behold i have a blown gasket just like on page 7. Same spot too.

So i am going to address the gasket and epc blow off?

The parts that are needed is 3L5Z-7M203-JA ALL, and 1L5Z-7Z490-CA 1L5P-DA/EA

I have a 01 explorer auto 4x4

Thanks